WHAT TO DO IN SARAWAK

3. Fairy Cave, Bau Sarawak

Location: Bau Sarawak
Operation hour: everyday 8:30am – 4pm

Some say the cave used to house Japanese soldiers hiding from persecution during the war. Others tell the tale of magical fairies, protecting orphaned children living within.  The limestone cave is certainly beautiful if not a bit eerie. This is in part due to the locals who have placed prayer items at the foot of several deity-like rock formations within the cave itself.

Getting here: This beautiful cave is situated about 40 kilometres from Kuching, a 45 minute drive away. Public transport does not come all the way out here but most tour companies do.

Traveller tip: The paths within the cave are often slippery and parts of it may be quite dark so remember to bring good footwear and torches. If you’re interested in rock-climbing however, you could always get in touch with Climb Asend, part of the local rock-climbing community.

 

4. Jong’s Crocodile Farm, Siburan

Location: Jalan Kuching – Serian, Siburan, Sarawak
Operation hour: everyday 11am – 5pm

There are two crocodile farms in Sarawak, one in Miri and one in Kuching. Each farm is pretty extensive and not only has an impressive array of crocodiles but also a mini-zoo with a variety of other animals and birds. Plan your visit to coincide with the feeding times and be amazed by the agility of these reptiles as they erupt from the water, to snatch bits of meat dangling on the lines above. Definitely worth a day-trip!

Other things to do here:

• Crocodile feeding show (11am – 3pm daily)
• Get to know the history and crocodile legends of Sarawak
• Get to see hundreds of other wildlife which includes rare species of birds that can only be found in the Borneo Island at farm’s Mini Bird Park
• Enjoy see-seeing and photography at Picturesque

 

5. Go to events

Many of Sarawak’s indigenous communities have called the state home for thousands of years. All these communities contribute to Sarawak’s unique culture and colour.

Here you can discover some of the prominent cultural festivals that Sarawak’s indigenous communities celebrate, two of which are open to anyone, wherever in the world you may come from!

The dates differ from year to year, so be sure to keep an eye out for when the festival will be held.

 

6. Kuching Waterfront

The Kuching Waterfront, is the most popular gathering place in this capital city. They are the Chinese History Museum, Sarawak Steamship Building and Square Tower. Besides the old, there is a modern amphitheatre that showcases scheduled live entertainment.

Darul Hana Bridge, next to this fountain, is S-shaped bridge pedestrian. The two viewing decks offer excellent 360- panaromic view of the Sarawak River.

Walking Tour of Kuching Waterfront. The bridge enables one to do a circular walking tour of the north bank and the Waterfront. you can cross the river either via the bridge or by water taxis. Locals call the water taxis ‘Penambang‘.

 

7. Sarawak Cultural Village, Kuching

Location: Damai Beach Resort, Kampung Budaya Sarawak, Kuching, Sarawak
Operation hour: everyday 9am – 5pm

Tourists can learn about the many different tribes of Borneo. Within the village you can see many typical tribal houses. Highlight of a visit to the Sarawak Cultural Village is the dance performance where professional dancers depict numerous traditional dances; each dance originates from a different tribe.

After the dance, take a chance to walk through the village. Just some of the sights on offer include their 11 unique cultural houses along the site sprawls over 17 acres so there is a huge amount to see and do here if you fancy an easy day trip out of the center of Kuching.

 

8. Annah Rais Bidayuh Longhouse

Location: 3, Jalan Temenggong, Bandar Hilir, 75100 Melaka
Operation hour: 7am-10pm

In Sarawak, Bidayuh, the second largest ethnic group, was historically known as the “Land Dayak,” and was once also known as the “Bamboo Engineer.” You will be able to see the magnificent architecture of their longhouse, built mainly of bamboo, when you visit the Bidayuh longhouse.

Kampung Annah Rais is a large Bidayuh village, one of the finest still in existence, built around a centuries-old bamboo longhouse. They are welcoming hosts, and the village is the best place to explore the community of Bidayuh and hear about its fascinating way of life.

 

9. Mount Santubong, Kuching

Location: Melaka Alive, Jalan Parameswara, Bandar Hilir, 75000 Melaka Opening Hours: Wednesday – Monday 10am – 7pm; last submission: 6pm (closed on Tuesday)

Only 35 minutes drive from Kuching, the Santubong area has a great deal to offer the visitor. It has some superb natural attractions centred on the rainforested slopes of Mount Santubong, its mangrove forests, rivers, near shore waters and mudflats. These different habitats are home to variety of wildlife making Santubong one of the best sites in Sarawak to see a range of wildlife in a natural setting.

 

10. Lambir Hills National Park, Miri

Location: Bintulu – Miri Rd, Miri, Sarawak
Operation hour: 8am – 5pm

The Lambir Hills National Park shelters dozens of jungle waterfalls, plenty of cool pools where you can take a dip, and a network of walking trails through mixed dipterocarp and kerangas forests. A perennial favorite among locals and an important center of scientific research, Lambir Hills makes a great day or overnight trip out of Miri.

Things you can do there:

• Jungle Treking
• Swimming / Recreation
• Nature education
• Research
• Bird watching
• Wildlife Observation
• Photography
• Night walk

Where to stay:
Park accommodation consists of chalet units, and a camp site. Please contact the National Parks Booking Office in Miri for the latest room rates and to make reservations.

3. The Month Long Kuching Food Festival

The food festival only seems to get bigger every year (last year, there were over 200 food stalls alone). Few are owned by well-known restaurants and cafes, but more often than not, the stall owners who only sell their dishes during this month-long festival of deliciousness cook up some of the best food to be found at Kuching Fest.

So make sure to drop by if you’re in Kuching during the month of August to catch this year’s latest craze. And if you feel the need to walk off all that food, the festival also plays host to a garden show and variety of performers, definitely something worth checking out!

 

4. Stroll along the Sarawak River Waterfront

Location: Jalan Merdeka, Bandar Hilir, Melaka
Operation hour: everyday 10am 11pm

A walk full of sights and sounds is promised. The path is dotted with various food stalls and has become a popular nighttime meeting spot for locals. Admire the beautifully lit Astana as people wait, and enjoy the evening breeze. Hop on a conventional sampan (boat) for a brief trip across the river after you’ve done walking along the esplanade. The difference of feeling will disturb you when you took the same trip during the daytime.

Photo by Flickr

 

5. Stargaze from Damai Beach

Location: Lebuh Ayer Keroh, Hang Tuah Jaya, 75450 Ayer Keroh, Melaka
Operation hour: everyday 9am – 6pm, 8pm – 11pm (Friday, Saturday)

Living practically on the edge of the ocean facilitates some amazing views of the heavens. If you’re lucky enough to see a shooting star. Beach stargazing really gives an opportunity like no other. You can also catch some breathtaking sunsets and watch the stars by night. Relax the mind and body thus luxuriating in nature between the collisions of the waves and the quietness of the night air.

 Photo by Flickr

 

6. Food and Cultural Festival

Location: Bario Highlands, Sarawak, Malaysia

This “nightly” phenomenon is a little cheating, but it is truly too good to ignore. In the bountiful region of Bario, a mountainous highland area where traditional agricultural activities such as terraced slope farming still retain pride of place, Pesta Nukenen, as it is called in the Kelabit language, is held annually. Currently, the most popular export of Bario is its rice farmed on those very hills, so delicious that for those in the know it’s become coveted.

A celebration of Kelabit culture that lasts for three days, the Pesta has grown since its inception in 2006 to become one of the most-awaited Sarawakian festivals yearly.

 

7. Take a city tour from the river

Location: Section 33, 93100 Jalan Tabuan, Kuching, Sarawak

If you do not undertake a city tour through a river cruise, your visit to the city will remain incomplete. When the sun sets along the mighty Sarawak River, you can go for a leisurely cruise that certainly promises to be an entertaining and unforgettable experience. Alternatively, to spend an enjoyable evening with your close friends or relatives on board, you should book a cruise to celebrate a wedding or function.

 Photo by Flickr

 

8. The Waterfront

Location: Jalan Main Bazaar, 93000 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia

If you don’t visit the iconic Kuching Waterfront, which is a popular hotspot for both locals and tourists, a visit to the city will remain unfinished. This is the same place where James Brooke landed for the first time in Sarawak. The Waterfront by the Sarawak River is now a glamorous landscaped esplanade and has several entertainment areas and eateries. You can also visit an observation tower and a few historical buildings that enjoy proximity to the site.

 Photo by Flickr

 

9. “blue tears” at Tusan Beach, Miri

This is the port of Miri’s most epic sunset. Although the place in Miri City is a little marginalised, the trip here is well worth it. The sunset here can be said to be the most stunning in Miri, apart from being able to see the rock cliffs and stone monuments that make up the hole. If you don’t accept that, at least once in your life, you have to go here.

Tusan Beach is one of the beaches worldwide that has the “blue tears” phenomena, which is a common attraction every year from September to December. As if flooded by neon signs, the sand turns blue.

 

10. Sibu Night Market

Location: Jln Market, Pekan Sibu, Sibu, Sarawak
Opening hour: 6pm – 12am

The stalls sell all kinds of household goods, clothes, trendy products, and food such as dim sum, beef satay, barbecue chicken, and many more varieties of local delicacies are on sale here, with shoppers happily snacking as they walk from stand to stand.